Looking to 2019, it said prices will continue to harden for the right bottles from the right distilleries, as well as increased interest in more affordable bottles from those in the second tier.

Rare Whisky 101 co-founder Andy Simpson said: “The market for rare and vintage bottles has witnessed extraordinary growth over the past ten years, both in terms of the volume of whisky being traded and the value of that whisky.

"The key to rare whisky's sustained growth as an asset class, is the passion buyers worldwide share for investing, collecting, and occasionally drinking, some of the best and rarest Scotch whisky ever made.”

In the report, whisky is followed stamps, coins, cars and furniture.

In the classic car market, a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO sold for $48 million – the most expensive car sold at auction.

Furniture: 1766 Chippendale commode with ivory inlays sold previously in 1991 for £935,000, a record price for a piece of English furniture. Offered for auction by Christie’s with the inlays removed and an upper estimate of £5 million. Failed to sell.